Hydraulic forging tool



April 14, 1970. R. P. MONTESI 3,505,845

HYDRAULIC FORGING TOOL Filed Nov. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l YDPA UL /6 ATTOQA/EY April 14, 1970 'R. P, MONTESI HYDRAULIC FORGING TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed NOV. 5. 1967 INVENTOR. Paaaer f2 MOMTESI' By 52 2.

ATTOQ/VEY United States Patent 3,505,845 7 HYDRAULIC FORGING TOOL Robert P. Montesi, Bradford, Pa., assignor to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 680,429 Int. Cl. B21d 22/12 U.S. Cl. 72-54 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable tool for hydraulic wall forging. The tool Cross-reference to related applications Pipe Couplings, Ser. No. 620,309 filed Mar. 3, 1967 now U.S. Patent No. 3,429,587.

Background of the invention (1) The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the art of hydraulic metal forging and in particular to hydraulic tools for the forging of metal pipe couplings into a forced set joint against pipe to be coupled.

(2) Hydraulic tools' for various and specific applications are widely used and are well known in various phases of industry. As such, many tools are adapted to perform specific needs in association with other products or equipment while others may have general application for a variety of uses or functions.

There has recently been discovered a pipe coupling as disclosed in the aforementioned copending application,

Serial No. 620,309 in which the coupling is formed of a tubular shell having an annular outer ring secured arched and pressure-tight about each end portion of the shell to provide a pressure-tight chamber between the shell and the ring. An aperture in each ring permits application of fluid pressure within each end chamber sufficient to forgeably deform the shell inwardly thereat urging the shell or contained gasket into a uniform pressure seal engagement against receiyed pipe sections to be coupled. As disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, the forging pressures and degree of forging are subject to variables largely a function of the different pipe sizes for which the couplings are to be used. It should be appreciated therefore that the degree of forging is critical to the extent that underforging will not effect the desired joint, while overforging will cause unwanted crushing of the containedpipe. Further complicating the problem is the fact that'the forging shell portion of the above-mentioned coupling is generally obscured by the outer ring from view of the personnel preparing the joint on site, at locations removed from any complex laboratory equipment and with only portable hydraulic generating equipment available. This situation prevents personnel from making'a visual or other reasonable form of inspection. Utility of the coupling and its commercial success therefore depends on the ability to prepare the optimum joint on each and every occasion of use.

By such prior art techniques, therefore, it has not been possible with equipment available to reliably achieve the intended result on each and every occasion on which such 3,505,845 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 a joint is produced. At the same time, the analogous problem likewise exists with respect to many applications in which a concealed surface is to be forged and it is de sira-ble to have a portable tool by which this can be readily accomplished reliably, simply and inexpensively with a minimum of time and effort.

SUMMARY This invention relates to a portable tool for the application of hydraulic pressure to effect controlled forging of metal surfaces. More specifically, the invention relates to a tool for applying hydraulic forging pressures against a concealed metal surface such as in a pipe coupling and to effect the optimum degree of forging sufficient to achieve the required joint without overforging. In a preferred embodiment hereof, this forging control is achieved by a tool having an axially displacable pin of rod which is in continuous follower engagement against the forging surface. The axial distance moved by the pin as' a result of the forging operation can be present to correspond to the optimum forging effect and which when reached disrupts fluid dispensing to prevent further unwanted forging thereat. Thus, in accordance with the portable tool of the invention, the result of controlled optimum forging on concealed surfaces is effected, simply, inexpensively and reliably as to remove the guesswork therefrom and overcome such other difficulties as has been associated with such prior art devices.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel portable tool for the application of hydraulic pressure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel portable tool for hydraulic forging of metal surfaces to an optimum degree'presettable within the tool.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a portable tool capable of producing inward forging of a concealed coupling wall to optimum degrees irrespective of the coupling pipe size and to effect the forging reliably, simply and inexpensively with a minimum of time and effort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of the tool hereof in post-forging relation to a coupling of the aforementioned p Y FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevation similar to FIGURE '1 with the tool shown in its pre-forging relation to the coupling; f 1

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional elevation similar to relation to the coupling; 5 I

- FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially the lines 4-4 of FIGURE 2; I v

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 6--6 of FIGURE 2; p

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 77 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom view of the tool; and

FIGURE 9 is an enlargedfragmentary detail of th tool structure generally contained within the circledportion 99 of FIGURE 2. v

In the preferred embodiment, the tool hereof is adapted for, use in conjunction with a coupling of the aforementioned type shown dashed in FIGURES 1-3. The cou- .pling willv therefore first be briefl described to enable better understanding of the invention. With reference, therefore, to FIGURES 1-3, the coupling of the aforementioned type is designated 10 and includes an inner shell wall 11 annularly encircling a gasket 12 for em- FIGURE 2 but illustrating the tool in its post-forging along bracing a pipe section 13 received thereat. Before forging the coupling, the embrace is loose as shown in FIGURE 2 and after forging is tight as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. Each end portion of the shell is annularly encircled by a pressure ring 14 to form a pressure-tight chamber 15 into which pressurized hydraulic fluid can be supplied through an aperture 16 which accommodates receipt of the forging tool and preferably is oblong shaped. Normally, cap 17 is retained in the aperture to prevent seepage of unwanted contaminants from reaching the chamber and during the forging operation is withdrawn and re tained as will be described. Application of the pressurized fluid is effective to forge the inner shell 11 radially inward against the gasket 12 until the latter firmly and compressively grips the pipe section 13 in a secured leakproof joint.

The tool hereof by which the above forging can be effected with a high order of reliability will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1-3 and is generally designated 25. As there shown, the tool is portable and consists generally of a tubular body 26 to which is connected at its upper end a source of hydraulic pressure 27 available or provided on site. Secured to the body is a collar 33 from which depends a fork member 34 suitable for extracting the plug 17 from the coupling port and retaining it as shown in FIGURE 2 during the hydraulic forging operation. The upper end of the body also includes a threaded portion to receive a nipple 28 connected via a swivel connection 29 to a high pressure hose 30 through which fluid is supplied from the hydraulic source 27. Any appropriate fluid may be used depending on the source available, temperatures and the like to be encountered and may include water, grease, kerosene, air, etc. Most commonly, the hydraulic fluid consists of automobile grease which has been pneumatically pressurized.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 2, the pressurized fluid enters the body via the nipple 28 and travels in a generally axial direction as shown by the arrows. The fluid is ejecting at the lower outlet end at which the body necks down to a lowermost portion 31 for a connection to supply fluid into the passage 15 of the coupling.

For inserting the tool in the coupling, there is provided a bushing 38 threadedly connected and preferably cemented in position within the lower necked-down portion of the body. Extending axially through the bushing is a bore 39 in coaxial communication with the body bore and at its lowermost portion terminates in a foot 40 of cross section capable of being received within coupling port 16 and in this instance is oblong as can be seen also with reference to FIGURE 8. Immediately above the foot, the shank 42 of the bushing is of a diamond cross section such that after the foot-is inserted within the chamber 15, a hand rotation through about a quarter turn is applied and limited by the diamond peaks of shank 42 transversely engaging the side walls of the coupling aperture 16 as can be seen in FIGURE 7. This places the foot 40 lying interlocked generally across the underside of port 16 in the manner shown in FIGURE 8 to ensure against withdrawal and enable mounting of the tool securely onto thering 14.

To mount the tool with the foot in the latter position, a pressure-tight mounting onto the ring is effected by means of a hand wheel 43 secured to a collar 44 threadedly mounted on the body portion 31. On screwing the collar downwardly, the lower annular end thereof engages and downwardly urges the upper annular end of'a tandem abutting sleeve 45. The sleeve terminates at its lower end in a radially inward projecting flange 46 having an annular recess 47 containing an O-ring gasket 50 to provide an encircling seal when tight about port 16. Should port 16 enlarge or expand as aresult of the forging operation, the gasket 50 ensures against loss of pressure which could otherwise result. The sleeve 45 is slidable axially with respect to the body portion 31 in response to handwheel operation and when tight, leakage therepast is prevented by means of annular O-ring 52 and spiral back up ring 54 secured in an annular body groove or recess 55. Consequently, as the hand wheel is rotated for downward movement, the sleeve 45 in turn forces its gasket 50 into engagement against the topside of pressure ring 14 causing foot 40 to be drawn upwardly into tight clamping engagement with the underside of the pressure ring.

For sensing the degree of forging being accomplished during tool operation, there is provided coaxially mounted within the bore 39 an axially movable pin or rod 58 Which is generally of less cross sectional dimension than the bore to permit fluid flow axially thereabout. As can be seen also in FIGURE 6, the rod is oblong and clearances between the rod and bore permit grease or other fluid being pumped to pass through the bore along the parallel opposite side surfaces of the rod. At its upper end, the pin is secured to a seat plug 59 having an upper end 67 of hexagonal cross section (see FIGURE 5) and a lower end 66 which terminates as a valve seat frusto-conical in shape. The plug and consequently the pin are urged downwardly by means of a spring 60 compressed thereat from between a seat nut 61 threadedly engaged within the upper end of the tube body 26. Also provided at the upper end of the body for cooperating with the plug 59 is a bushing 62 having an upper bore 63 terminating in frusto-conical seat 65 surrounding a lower bore 64. With the plug in its lowermost position as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the seating surfaces between the plug and bushing effect closure of bore 64 against fluid flow.

When initially inserted in place within the coupling, the pin engages the top inside surface of shell portion 11 forcing the pin upwardly against the urging of spring 60 to move plug 59 away from bushing seat 65. This permits free flow of the hydraulic fluid when applied through the bore to issue out the end of bore 39 into the coupling chamber 15. As shell 11 forges inwardly, the pin continuously follows increasingly extending outward beyond foot 40. This can be understood by comparing FIGURES 2 and 3 wherein it is seen that as shell 11 forges inwardly from its FIGURE 2 relation in response to the applied hydraulic pressure, pin 58 follows the radially inward moving surface thereof until the pin extends or protrudes increasingly further removed from the foot as in FIGURE 3. When reaching the latter relation, plug 59 reaches its seating position with respect to bushing seat 65 to completely disrupt flow therepast and the forging operation is completed. 1

Because the travel demand of pin 58 to move between valve open and valve closed position will vary as a function of the pipe size being coupled or for other purposes associated with tool use, bushing 62 is axially adjustable within the body. By effecting an axial movement thereof, it is possible to preset and vary the travel distance between seat 65 and plug end 66 corresponding to the required degree of forging. This is accomplished and may best be understood with reference to FIGURES 2, 4 and 9 where it can be seen that seat nut 61 includes a screw driver slot 70 and at ,its lower end terminates in a pair of opposite outwardly. projecting tabs 71 and 72 to be received in corresponding receiving slots 73 and 74 of the bushing. By screwing the nut 61 in or out, bushing seat 65 will consequently be moved correspondingly to effect the required spacing. Fluid leakage past bushing 62 is prevented by O-ring and spiral back'up' ring 81 in annular groove 84. Accuracy in setting the pin is assured since it normally is urged by spring 60 to its furthermost extension at which it can be conveniently measured.

Hence, after pin 58 has in the forging operation extended to its terminal preset travel position, forging is complete and it is desired to remove the tool for subsequent utilization elsewhere. Hydraulic pressure in the tool is first removed remotely as at the hydraulic source 27 after which hand wheel:43iis"rotated to freejthesleve 45 and foot 40 from their clamping relationaAt this' stage, the entire tool can be removed from the clamp by a reverse hand rotation of the tool'to permitfoot 40 to be withdrawn through the aperture 16.

, By the above description, there ,is disclosed a novel hydraulic 'tool for eflecting forging of metal surfaces such as a pipe coupling easily and simply'and with a minimum of time and effort. By the simple procedure of inserting the tool through a provided aperture in the coupling and locking the tool thereat,'subseq uent applicationof hydraulic pressure 'will'eflect the required degree of f rging without further effortor attention of operating personnel. No other fitting as in conventionallubricating systems is' required since the tool is'directly attachablejto-the coupling. The produced coupling joint is accurately formed to a preset forging degree which can be adjustably controlled by a simple screwdriver adjustment withiri'the toolzlt has been found that forming a joint on site by means of the tool hereof is performed in about one minute or less per nominal inch of diameter being usually less on the smaller sizes. While the tool has been described as having principal utility in conjunction with forging of a pipe coupling, it should not be considered to be a limitation on the use of such tool since this is intended as exemplary in describing the preferred embodiment of the invention and it is apparent that this tool could find utility in many other applications for which the need is similar. Also, it is appreciated that the tool could be employed for situations in which it is unnecessary to have an automatic cutoff as afforded by the central pin. For those applications, where justified, the pin can be eliminated.

Since many changes could be made in the above con struction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawing and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A tool for the application of hydraulic forging pressure against a forgable wall surface contained pressuretight and comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body,

(b) inlet means at a first end of said body to receive pressurized forging fluid,

(c) outlet means at a second end of said body through which to eject fluid received at said inlet means, and

(d) mounting means at said second end for mounting the tool secured locked in a pressure-tight spaced relation to the wall surface to be forged, said mounting means including a foot extending spaced from a terminal body portion of said second end and means axially adjust the spacing between said terminal body portion andsaid foot to receive a supporting surface therebetween against which the tool can be mounted.

2. The tool according to claim 1 including an annular seal in the end face of said terminal body portion surrounding said outlet means thereat for seating against a received supporting surface.

3. A tool for the application of hydraulic forging pres sure against a forgable wall surface contained pressuretight and comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body,

(b) inlet means at a first end of said body to receive pressurized forging fluid,

(0) outlet means at a second end of said body through which to eject fluid received at said inlet means, and

(d) forge sensing means for sensing the degree of forging effected by the applied forging fluid, said forge sensing means being presettably responsive to disrupt fluid flow to said outlet means when a required degree of wall forging has been effected.

4. The tool according to claim 3 in which said forge axialmovement coaxially outward through said outlet means and adapted for continuous following engagement against the forgable wall surface from the unforged to th'e're quired forged condition thereof.

5., The tool'acco'rding to claim 4 includingvalve means in said body intermediate said inlet and said outlet means and operable by said rod to permit fluidflow when said rod is in a first relatively unextended position against the wall surface to be forged and to disrupt fluid flow when further extented to the required'forged condition of the forgable wall surface.

6.;The tool according to claim 4 including clamping means at said outlet means for securing the tool locked pressure-tight onto a mounting wall adjacent the forgable wall surface.

7. The tool according to claim '6'in which said outlet means includes an axial extension secured to said body terminating in a lateral foot offset and said clamping means comprises. a threaded adjustment member movable towards said lateral offset for securing the mounting wall thereb'etween.

8. The tool according to claim 7 in which the body at said second end terminates in a face containing an annular' seal surrounding the outlet thereat for seating against the surface of the mounting wall.

9. A portable tool for the hydraulic forging of a pipe coupling having an annular shell portion forgable into coupling relation with a contained pipe section and an outer ring annularly spanning the shell portion forming a pressure-tight chamber therewith in which to receive forging fluid through an access therein, said tool comprising in combination:

(a)'a tubular body,

(b) inlet means at a first end of said body to receive pressurized forging fluid,

(c) outlet means at a second end of said body through which to eject fluid received at said inlet means, and

(d) mounting means to mount said outlet means pressure-tight on the outer coupling ring in fluid supply relation to the access thereof, said mounting means including a foot extending spaced from the terminal body portion of said second end and receivable through the access of said coupling ring into the chamber thereat and means operable when said foot is in the coupling chamber to axially reduce the spacing therebetween until the tool is secured onto said coupling ring.

10. The tool according to claim 9 including an annular seal in the end face of said terminal body portion surrounding said outlet means thereat for seating against a received supporting surface.

11. A portable tool for the hydraulic forging of a pipe coupling having an annular shell portion forgable into coupling relation with a contained pipe section and an outer ring annularly spanning the shell portion forming a pressure-tight chamber therewith in which to receive forging fluid through an access therein, said tool comprising in combination:

(a) a tubular body,

(b) inlet means at a first end of said body to receive pressurized forging fluid,

(0) outlet means at a second end of said body through which to eject fluid received at said inlet means,

(d) mounting means to mount said outlet means pressure-tight on the outer coupling ring in fluid supply relation to the access thereof, and

(e) =forge sensing means which penetrates through the coupling access into the chamber thereof to sense the degree of forging eflected by the ejected fluid from said outlet means and to disrupt fluid flow to said outlet means when a required degree of shell forging has been completed.

12. The tool according to claim 11 in which said forge sensing means comprises an elongated rod mounted for axial movement coaxially outward through said outlet means and adapted for continuous following engagement against the shell wall surface from the unforged to the required forged condition thereof.

13. The tool according to claim 12 including valve means in said body intermediate said inlet and said outlet means and operable by said rod to permit fluid flow when said rod is in a first relatively unextended position against the shell wall surface and to disrupt fluid flow when extended outwardly further to the required forged condition of the shell wall surface. 1 I

14. The tool according to claim 13 in which said outlet means includes an axial extension secured to said body terminating in a lateral oflFset receivable through said coupling access and said mounting means comprises a threaded adjustment mem ber operably movable relatively towards said lateral offset for securing the tool against the outer coupling ring.

15. The tool according to claim 14 including an annular seal surrounding the outlet at said second end for L8 maintaininga pressure-tight fit between the tool and coupling when mounted together in secured relation.

1 I V I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,423,862 7/1947 Yorobik 7254 2,479,702 8/1949 Rood 2s5 s4 2,956,471 \10/1960 'McManus 72-54 2,997,093 8/1961 Harris 72 6 3 3,103,068 9/1963 Hinz 29-423 3,429,587 3 12/1969 Kish 29-421 LANHAM, Primary Examiner G. RCROSBY, Assistant Examiner L 7 "Us. 01. X.R. 2 -4 421 Y 

